Page 78 of Alessandra (Chisholm Manor #1)

The final goodbyes were said.

On the manor doorstep, Alessandra and Edward each hugged their parents tightly, not knowing when - or if - they would ever see them again.

Alessandra's father laughed at his daughter.

"We will not be that far away, and it is your house we will be staying at, Alessandra, so come and visit us there.

This is not goodbye forever, my child," he said, hugging her once more.

As the carriage rode away, two lost souls stood and watched it disappear in the distance.

When they could not see it anymore, Edward turned to his wife.

"The house will not be the same now, with it just being you and I, my lovely wife.

And our three children, of course," he said, turning and giving her a full hug, holding her tight.

"Not for long I do not think, Edward," Alessandra said, quietly in his ear as she returned the hug.

He breathed her in - her scent, the feeling of her cheek on his, the feeling of her breasts against his chest - and he started to feel aroused at being so close to her, until the words sank in.

"What are you saying?" he asked, pulling away abruptly.

"Who else is leaving?"

As Alessandra laughed at him joyfully, Edward was entranced by the happiness on her face.

She did not answer him, but let him think about things in his own time, as she started to kiss him all over his face, smiling brilliantly all the while.

Edward pulled away again and looked at her with a grin beginning.

"You are ... with child?" he asked and saw his wife laugh out loud.

"Oh, yes," Alessandra replied.

"I am very certain, my wonderful husband.

Our family of three will soon be a family of four."

Edward looked at her, knowing he should feel simply happiness at the news, but somehow it fuelled him more.

He dismissed the idea of doing any work for the rest of the day as he took his wife's hand, then led her inside and upstairs to show her exactly how happy she made him.

The End